When I first started freelancing on Upwork, I did not have a plan. I was bidding on whatever SEO jobs came up, underpricing my services, and hoping that volume would eventually lead to something sustainable. It did not. What changed everything was understanding that Upwork is a system, and the freelancers who succeed are the ones who learn how that system works.
Today, I hold the Top Rated Plus badge on Upwork, which puts me in the top 3% of freelancers on the platform. I maintain a 100% Job Success Score, and I serve clients across India, Australia, the US, and the UK from my base in Derabassi, Punjab.
This is not a tips-and-tricks article. This is the honest account of what worked, what did not, and what I would do differently if I started over.
Understanding What Top Rated Plus Actually Means
Upwork has four badge tiers: Rising Talent, Top Rated, Top Rated Plus, and Expert-Vetted.
Top Rated requires a Job Success Score (JSS) of 90% or above for at least 13 of the last 16 weeks, at least $1,000 in earnings over the past 12 months, a complete profile, and consistent platform activity.
Top Rated Plus goes further. It requires everything above plus proven success on large or long-term contracts. The definition of "large" varies by category, but for marketing and SEO, it generally means contracts of $5,000 or more. You also need $10,000 or more in total earnings over the past 12 months.
The badge is not something you apply for. Upwork's algorithm evaluates eligibility automatically every two weeks. Either you meet every criterion simultaneously, or you do not. Meeting four out of five does not count.
The Early Phase: Building a Foundation
When I started, my biggest mistake was trying to be everything to everyone. I was taking on web design jobs, social media management, content writing, and SEO all at once. My profile was unfocused, and clients could not tell what I was actually best at.
The turning point was narrowing my focus to three core services: Technical SEO, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). This gave my profile a clear identity and made it easier for clients searching for these specific skills to find me.
I also started with smaller, faster-turnaround projects to build momentum. A $200 technical SEO audit that I could deliver in 3 days would get me a five-star review quickly, which improved my JSS and made my profile more attractive for bigger contracts.
How I Managed My Job Success Score
Your JSS is the most important metric on Upwork, and it is also the most misunderstood. It is not just based on star ratings. It factors in private feedback (the survey clients complete after a contract ends), contract outcomes, and the ratio of successful to unsuccessful engagements.
Here is what I learned about protecting my JSS:
- I became very selective about which contracts I accepted. A project that pays well but has a difficult client with unclear expectations can tank your JSS with one bad private review. I learned to spot red flags in job posts: vague requirements, unrealistic expectations, and clients who want "everything" for a fixed low price.
- I always set clear deliverables upfront. Before starting any contract, I would outline exactly what the client would receive, the timeline, and what was out of scope. This prevented misunderstandings that lead to negative feedback.
- I closed contracts properly. Abandoned or open contracts with no activity hurt your JSS. I made it a practice to close every contract with a clear summary of work completed and a request for feedback.
- When things went wrong, I communicated early. If a project was going off-track, I raised it with the client immediately rather than letting frustration build. Most clients appreciate honesty.
Landing the Large Contracts
The barrier between Top Rated and Top Rated Plus is the large contract requirement. For me, this meant landing and successfully completing contracts over $5,000.
These did not come from cold proposals. They came from existing clients who trusted my work on smaller projects and then expanded the scope. My approach was simple: deliver exceptional work on a small audit or one-time project, then naturally transition the conversation toward a longer-term retainer or a more comprehensive engagement.
For example, one of my Australian clients initially hired me for a $500 technical SEO audit. Based on the results, they moved to a $2,000/month retainer. After six months, that single relationship had contributed over $12,000 in earnings from one client. That is the kind of contract history Upwork rewards.
What I Would Do Differently
If I could start over, here is what I would change:
- I would niche down from day one. The months I spent being a generalist were wasted in terms of building authority on the platform.
- I would invest more time in my Upwork profile than in proposals. A strong, specific profile attracts invitations, which convert at a much higher rate than cold proposals.
- I would create Upwork Project Catalog listings earlier. My fixed-price service listings (technical SEO audit, AEO/GEO optimization, Reddit marketing) now bring in clients on autopilot.
- I would not compete on price. When I raised my rates, I attracted better clients with clearer expectations and bigger budgets. The clients who hire cheap are often the hardest to satisfy.
Lessons for SEO Freelancers
If you are an SEO freelancer trying to build on Upwork, here are the principles that matter most:
- Specialize. The platform rewards experts, not generalists. Pick 2 to 3 services and become the obvious choice for those.
- Your profile is your landing page. Treat it like one. Clear headline, specific results, and a professional photo. No fluff, no buzzwords.
- Reviews compound. Every five-star review makes the next one easier to earn, because better clients seek out better-reviewed freelancers.
- Play the long game with clients. A $300 first project can turn into a $15,000 annual relationship. Do not treat small projects as small.
- Keep your activity consistent. Upwork's algorithm favours freelancers who are consistently active: sending proposals, responding to invitations, and completing contracts regularly.
Where I Am Now
I now run The Digital Geek, my digital marketing agency based in Derabassi, while maintaining my personal freelancer brand on Upwork under anshulrana.in. The Top Rated Plus badge was not just a status symbol. It fundamentally changed how clients find me. I get multiple invitations daily, many from enterprise clients who filter specifically for Top Rated Plus freelancers.
The badge opened doors, but the work keeps them open. If you are on the path to Top Rated or Top Rated Plus, focus on the fundamentals: great work, clear communication, and the patience to let compound results do their thing.
If you want to work with me on your SEO, AEO, or GEO project, you can find me on Upwork or connect on LinkedIn.
